2012 Kia Sportage Reviews

Ewan Kennedy reviews the 1996, 2000, 2005, 2007, 2010, 2015 and 2016 Kia Sportage as a used buy

Graham Smith reviews the used 2010-2013 Kia Sportage, its fine points, its flaws and what to watch for when you are buying it.

Ewan Kennedy road tests and reviews the used 1996-2014 Kia Sportage.

Peter Mifsud wants to buy a 4WD wagon and he’s confused by the many choices available. He’s not a serious off-road enthusiast and says his old VY Commodore has got him to where he’s needed to go, but he wants a car that will tow his 1000kg campervan and he’s got around $20,000 to spend.NEWThe new Sportage released in 2011 was a revelation. No one saw it coming, but they should have, as Kia has been a make on the move for some time now.No longer the poor cousin of the car business, the brand you bought if you couldn’t afford anything better, Kia is now a well-respected maker of cars that deserves a place on our shopping lists.The new Sportage of 2011 was one of the models that signalled the arrival of the Korean brand as one to be taken seriously.A compact SUV, the 2011 Sportage boasted a new body with smart looks, new engines, much improved on-road manners, and five-star safety.The range boasted three models, the two-wheel drive Si and the four-wheel drive SLi and Platinum. It’s the four-wheel drives we’re looking at here given our reader’s started preference for a four-wheel drive.Two engines were offered. One was a 130kW 2.4-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, the other a 392Nm 2.0-litre turbo-diesel.There was only one transmission, a six-speed automatic and that fed into an on-demand four-wheel drive system that in essence drove the front wheels until it was deemed necessary for traction to send some of the drive to the rear wheels.Although it wasn’t a traditional four-wheel drive system as fitted to a heavy-duty off-roader it was surprisingly competent in the bush.The cabin had seating for five, it was quiet and comfortable, and in the Platinum you got everything you could wish for, from an eight-way power driver’s seat, adjustable steering column, leather trim, dual-zone climate control air-conditioning, a decent sound system and a reversing camera.Kia’s fit and finish has come on in leaps and bounds in recent years and it now compares favourably with any other brand in its class.Safety was also on the money as ANCAP recognized when it gave it a five-star tick. With six airbags, ABS brakes, and dynamic stability control it has quite an arsenal of safety gear. NOWSportage 4WD models are rated to tow up to 1600kg with trailer brakes, so they should comfortably tow the Mifsuds’ campervan weighing just 1000kg.With its high riding stance and ground clearance, along with its on-demand four-wheel drive system it should also be capable of handling their limited off-road needs, provided they don’t want to go rock climbing or something like that.Owners generally praise their Sportages, they rarely criticize them.They are not only well built, they are reliable and few problems of a serious nature crop up with them. We hardly ever hear of issues at CarsGuide, which suggests they are getting the job done for their owners in the field.Kia issued a recall notice in January 2014, which related to an issue with the seat belt pre-tensioner. Check the owner’s manual to confirm the recall rectification has been carried out. If you’re in doubt about it speak to a Kia dealer.Also check the service book to make sure all recommended servicing has been done. Missing services is a recipe for disaster, a failure to change engine oil regularly is just asking for trouble.Even though few Sportages will have seen duty in the rough going inspect your potential purchase carefully, particularly underneath where any damage as a result of off-road is likely to be readily seen.

We have our doubts that the Sportage is the “gangsta” vehicle, Kia makes out in the “grow up, not old” ad.You know the one... househusband rappin’ in da Sportage with da homies -- Grandmaster Melle Mel and Scorpio from the Furious Five -- only to be brought back to reality by his wife reminding him to pick up nappies.So it might not be the coolmobile he dreams of but it definitely ticks all the boxes for those looking for a compact SUV at an affordable price.The base model starts at $26,720 and jumps up by $10k to $36,720 for the petrol Platinum tested here or $39,720 for the Platinum turbo diesel.The Platinum’s luxury features include a six function trip computer, six CD changer,  seven speaker audio system with ipod connectivity, external amp and sub-woofer, ventilated eight way adjustable driver’s seat, front seat warmers, leather trim seats, leather steering wheel and shift knob, a cooling glovebox, rain sensors, sunvisor extensions and a powered sunroof.The Platinum gets a 2.4-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with 130kW of power and 227Nm of torque mated to a six speed sports automatic transmission. And the combined fuel economy is 9.2-litre per 100Km with 221g/km CO2 emissions.The base model only drives through the front two wheels but AWD is standard with the Platinum. There’s also hill start assist that holds the 1588kg weight well.Our test Sportage received plenty of attention - with one person even mistaking it for the BMW X1, perhaps because both come in an eye catching orange despite the vehicles being poles apart.The exterior of the Platinum gets 18-in alloy wheels, a LED daytime running light, rear spoiler, chrome coloured outer door handles and of course the head designer Peter Shreyer’s signature tiger grille flanked by two slanting headlights.The interior is top notch when it comes to styling with an attractive dashboard, large leather trimmed seats and a powered sunroof that adds to the luxury feel. Kia has really gone the extra mile to make the cabin as comfortable as possible, with plenty of legroom for both the driver and passengers, adjustable headrests and an easy to use eight-way adjustable driver’s seat.The push start button works when the smart key is anywhere inside the cabin and there’s also conveniently placed steering wheel controls, an MP3 compatible stereo and 12V auxiliary sockets below the trip computer. The Platinum has lots of storage compartments and cubbies for your bits and pieces and there’s even a sunglasses holder with soft cushioning above the rear vision mirror. The only slightly annoying feature was the steering wheel adjustment which is stiff and requires a bit of muscle to move. But that’s a small niggle among a well-fitted interior and it’s really hard to find a major criticism - it has everything a family car should have and then some.The safety kit includes six airbags, an anti-lock brake system, electronic stability control, three point seatbelts in all positions and child-proof rear door locks. And the panoramic sunroof comes with a safety system to prevent any accidents with fingers. The Sportage is not for enthusiastic drivers; instead it’s for those who prioritise space and comfort and need a runabout SUV with style. It’s perfect for car pools, picking up the kids from school and heading off on holiday with a car full of bags and boogie boards. Kia technology has come a long way in the past few years and this is shown through the Sportage’s easy drive and good road handling. The 2.4-litre engine is well matched to the Sportage and once the car gets going barely any road noise enters the cabin. The six speed auto changes gears seamlessly; it’s smooth on hills and handles bumpy roads well.The Sportage has high vision which makes you feel in control and the vehicle feels solid and well built. Overall visibility is helped by the big rear vision mirror, wide side mirrors and rear view camera with clear parking guidelines. So the only problem you’ll have with parking of any kind is the size of the space, as this SUV measures in at 1855mm by 4440mm. But this is standard for any compact SUV.Kia is making an effort to become a real contender in the SUV market. And at this price and with these features it’ll be a stretch to do better than the Sportage.

You have to wonder if the Kia brand is seen as a bit of an upstart by its Hyundai overlords, thumbing its nose at the parent company by building a better SUV.The Sportage hit the ground running in Australia, with styling and a value package that appealed to many.Get behind the wheel and the Australian engineering team's work on the suspension and steering was a clear and present danger to its Hyundai sibling - the Sportage chassis worked a treat and nothing has been done to damage that in the 2012 update.The SLi is priced from $35,720 and there's no shortage of gear to go with it - reach and rake adjustable steering, cloth trim, height-adjustable driver's seat, 17in alloy wheels, trip computer, power windows, three 12v outlets, reversing camera and auto headlights (but no rain-sensing wipers).There's also cruise control, Bluetooth phone and audio link, USB/auxiliary equipped six-speaker sound system, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with cruise, phone and audio controls, dual-zone climate control - but the newly-added option of satnav is $1500 extra.The Sportage has petrol variants but the pick of the litter is the two-litre common-rail direct-injection turbodiesel four cylinder.Equipped double overhead cams, 16 valves (equipped with variable valve timing) and a variable-geometry turbocharger, the little powerplant punches above what the numbers suggest, is reasonably quiet and quite flexible.The other highlight on the Sportage - which it got before Hyundai's SUV brigade was endowed with it - is the fully-variable all-wheel drive system that sends drive fore and aft depending on driving conditions.Kia has done the most of any brand on the peninsula south of the DMZ to advance the styling side of the value end of the market. This is a head-turner, don't be mistaken - the sharp lighting package, high waistline and muscular stance all make for a handsome package.The cabin is fairly sombre with dark coloured trims and red lighting - it's comfortable and with enough room to carry a family and associated paraphernalia - bootspace is good and it has a full-size spare wheel. The price paid for the attractive exterior lines is a narrow rear window, which makes the rear camera compulsory as the view aft isn't ideal.The Kia ranks five stars from the NCAP crash testing program and the presence of six airbags (front, side and curtain), stability and traction control, anti-lock brakes with emergency brake assist, pre-tensioners and load-limiters for front seat belts and active front head restraints.Other key features include an auto-dimming centre mirror, hill start and descent control, although with just under 180mm of ground clearance this is one of many compact SUVs that's more suited to the school run than the Gunbarrel Highway, but getting it dirty is not beyond the realms, given the ability to lock the all-wheel drive system into an even front/rear split.This car is a pleasant surprise on the road for so many reasons. While much of the product that ventured from South Korea to export markets didn't ride, handle or steer well, the Sportage had attention from Kia Australia personnel prior to its arrival on showroom floors here.It worked - the ride is good, almost supple and is at its best when sitting on the 17in wheel-tyre package of this mid-spec SLi. This model sits on 60-profile tyres, whereas the Platinum goes up to 18in wheels and down to 55-profile rubber, which previous experience has shown transmits more small ruts and bumps through to the cabin occupants.But it's not come at the expense of handling - the Sportage SLi is one of the better SUVs around a corner at pace, only pushing its nose a little wide when the Kuhmo rubber runs out of grip. The stability control system hasn't been advised of the Australian-ised chassis, as it is somewhat pessimistic if you are engaging in press-on driving, but in snooze mode it sits more comfortably in the background.The little diesel is flexible and quiet enough when cruising - it still has the thrum of a four-cylinder oil-burner but it’s not hugely intrusive. The Getrag six-speed auto slurs through gearshifts smoothly and seems well matched to the diesel's outputs - rolling along through traffic is an un-fussed manner of progress thanks to the low stress power delivery characteristics.The mid-spec model does have an auxiliary and USB input if you don't want to discharge too much from your devices, although charging an iPhone via USB cable isn't supported - something the company says will be rectified as sound system head units are changed over to new-generation units. This car finished on the podium when it appeared in Carsguide's 2010 Car of The Year and time has tarnished its performance. 

There anyone left in Australia who is not in love with some sort of SUV?Macho looking wagons are the family cars of the 21st century and nothing proves it more than the continuing boom in compact SUV sales. Every month the numbers go up, not just deliveries from dealerships but also the selection of showroom starters. When we decided to rate the runners, as we did last month with small cars, there were far more hopefuls than heroes.The Hyundai ix35 is under-done on styling and suspension, the Mitsubishi ASX is too much like a truck, the Suzuki Grand Vitara is best for the bush, and theToyota RAV4 is flat-out too old. They might be nice, but nice is not enough.So we came down to a four finalists as usual and they tick all the boxes. The Mazda CX-5 and Subaru XV are new and funky, the Kia Sportage still rules for value and local tweaking, and the Volkswagen Tiguan has the right badge for brand snobs.I have driven them all before so the comparison run is more like revision than starting from scratch, although there are still some surprises and lots to consider before final judgement.VALUEThis time we left the final four to you. We want to consider what customers are choosing,, not a set of dream machines, even if that means a disparate group that is something of a mis-match on price and equipment.Surprisingly, the Mazda is the cheapest in our field at $33,540 for the front-drive Maxx Sport, then comes the Subaru at $34,490 for the  2.0i-L, followed by the Tiguan 132 TSI Pacific at $35,990 and then Sportage Titanium at $39,720.But it's not just about price, as the Kia ticks all the equipment boxes and also gets a diesel engine, while the Volkswagen runs up short on some stuff - including a rear-view camera - that should be standard in 2012. As always - at least until the BRZ sports car - the Subaru only comes with all-wheel drive and the CX-5 choices reflect its place as Mazda's new SUV hero and the replacement for the larger CX-7.To put things into sharper focus, the CX-5 range runs from $27,800 right up to $48,190, you can buy an XV priced from $28,490 to $34,490, Tiguan stickers span from $24,490 to $42,990 and the cheapest Sportage is the front-drive petrol car at $26,730.Of course, the Kia scores with its five-year warranty , but running costs also favour the CX-5 with Skyactiv technology that gives it fuel economy of 6.4 litres/100km.TECHNOLOGYThe latest Sportage Platinum finally picks up the satnav promised from day one in Australia, complete with traffic warnings. But there are now two clocks and no temperature display, while the Bluetooth audio streaming as not as good as it was. Hmmm.It's diesel engine means top torque, but surprisingly - perhaps it's down to size and weight - it trails the leaders on fuel efficiency. Dig deeper than the trinkets and it's all about the Skyactiv stuff in the CX-5, which brings a very efficient 2-litre petrol engine and six-speed auto complete with stop-start. That's good because the Mazda is a little drab compared with the Hyundai, and some of the costlier cars in the range.The Subaru looks newest and is well equipped, but its engine - despite stop-start - is lacklustre. It is missing any real verve and the manual gearbox can be a little difficult. It's a good thing it has cushy, lovely suspension.The Volkswagen has a great reputation but there is no reversing camera and no satnav, not even a big display screen in the dash. People who expect to be impressed when they first slide into a Tiguan will be disappointed. They will also be disappointed by the worst economy in the group, although this is partly offset by maximum power.DESIGNThe Tiguan looks old and boxy. There is not getting away from it. And, inside, it's black and drab and proof that the substance-over-style approach of the original Beetle still lurks in Germany. The Volkswagen might do the job, and the boot is easy to load, but efficiency comes well ahead of kerb appeal. The CX-5 is a modern update of the Tiguan look, still built around a basic box but with some nice tweaking and trimming. It's the car the women in the Carsguide crew rated tops, although they could have been influenced by the badge and a classy cabin that is nicely styled and well finished.The Kia has a different shape and that's both good and bad. It steps it away from its Hyundai clone and helps it make an impact in traffic. The cabin reflects some smart thinking but the finishing is not as good as the Mazda, despite all the nice bells and baubles.Which brings us to the Subaru. It's a genuinely youthful shape, looks great in the XV's Subaru orange, and turns more heads than the other three combines. But the XV is a bit plain inside and the design work leaves it short of back-seat room and luggage space, especially compared with the Kia and Mazda. The boot is more like a Mini and nowhere good enough for pram people.SAFETYFive-star safety is what you expect and what you get here. Ok, we're still waiting for the official ANCAP rating on the CX-5 but the Mazda has been chosen as a top safety pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety in the USA. There are three child seat anchors in all four, they each have ABS brakes and stability control, with six airbags on three and the Subaru going to seven with knee protection in the XV.Mazda adds a tyre-pressure warning for the CX-5, and has lane departure warning available on some models, while Kia shows an off-road bias with downhill brake control in addition to hill-start assist. The VW has a rollover protection system but the lack of a rear camera is a glaring shortcoming in this field. The Subaru and Kia also score with full-sized spares, not space savers, although this decision really hurts boot space in the XV.DRIVINGIt's hard to make direct comparisons, but here I go. The Kia has the biggest cabin and the most equipment, which makes driving nice. It also rides well, is relatively quiet, and has a really punchy engine.The Volkswagen is nothing special, and that's a surprise with some many impressive models in the family. It just feels old, from the drab cabin to the response from the DSG gearbox, although it does everything I ask without complaining.The Subaru wins me with its looks and supportive seats, but the cabin is too small against these rivals and the engine and gearbox are less than impressive. Fair but not good. Then again, I love the suspension, with the plush ride and quietness it brings.The Mazda? Very nice, but. It gets along pretty well, the driving position is good, and I just know that it's making the most of every litre in the tank. But I remember the arrival of the CX-7, and how it felt as more like a sports car than an SUV. And this time the CX-5 has not moved forward enough when everything new is expected to bounce out ahead of the pack.When we head out for some gravel road and dirt-track kilometres, just to check if the SUVs will survive out of the city, we quickly discover a lack of front-end clearance in the Mazda. The torque of the Sportage is great for hills and the Subaru has wonderful suspension that reflects quality engineering.But then we get to loading, and the boot is the XV is a fail. The Tiguan is good, the Mazda is really good, and the Sportage does all we ask despite a full-sized spare beneath the floor. When it comes to parking, the Tiguan suffers without a camera and the rear corners of the Sportage create nasty blind spots.The Mazda is noisier than I expect on coarse bitumen roads, I worry about the economy in the Kia, and the Volkswagen leaves me cold.But driving is not everything, and I also have to consider the badge appeal of the Tiguan, the rock-solid quality and dealer support of the CX-5, the all-wheel drive security and long-term Subaru reputation of the XV, and the equipment and warranty of the Sportage.VERDICTThe winner? It has to be the Kia. The Sportage is still as impressive as when it finished runner-up in our 2010 Car of the Year contest and comes fully loaded, just the way Aussies like it. It has a huge cabin, drives nicely, gets lots of kilometres between stops with that diesel engine, and has that five-year warranty to provide security for shoppers.The cabin quality trails the newer Japanese SUVs, and the steering still feels a bit wonky for the first 10 minutes, but it is truly the one you would be happiest driving home to the family. The CX-5 is a very close second and would probably have been first with more equipment and an engine swap. I drove an all-wheel drive CX-5 diesel auto straight after the comparison closed and it got me thinking.But you cannot judge what you do not have and, just as a CX-5 with the lot would have been punchier and more appealing, the Sportage would still finish on top if we slapped the badge on a Porsche Cayenne for the same money.I like the quietness and comfort of the CX-5, as well as the cabin quality, but it's not the great leap forward I expected from Mazda. It's doing a lot with Skyactiv but, just like BMW with its overdone emphasis on EfficientDynamics, the mechanical stuff only counts at the pumps and for dinner party bragging.The XV is a coulda, woulda, shoulda sort of car. And third. It's more youthful and has a lovely ride, but it falls short on space and performance. Some people also find the cabin is too drab and underdone, particularly compared with the Sportage.And the Tiguan? I expected more, but wasn't really surprised.Fourth place is a reflection of its ageing design, and the focus on SUVs that has made Japanese and Korean cars so popular, and on reflection perhaps we would have done better with a RAV4 in the field. But you cannot judge what you don't have. So the Sportage gets across the line by a short-half-head in what is really only a three-SUV contest, proving that the Korean carmaker is more than just a dollar dealer in 2012.

Heaven help a family seeking a compact SUV. There are about 150 distinct SUV models in the small and medium class -- and every one of them will fight tooth and nail for your business.Each has specific advantages but even narrowing it down will leave a long list. Stay with the most popular SUVs and you'll play safe - though may spend hours finding your car in a carpark - or go less mainstream and find unexpected costs and delays at service time.Australia's top-selling compact SUV this year is the Nissan X-Trail, followed by the Toyota RAV-4, Subaru Forester and Subaru XV.The Kia Sportage is 13th on the list but given its distinct style and easy temperament, probably deserves a lot more attention. Kia has sent its compact SUV into one of the most competitive market segments. Though it's beaten in sales numbers by more established players, the Sportage more than holds its head up in terms of value for money.The SLi tested gets standard gear including a reverse camera, electric seat lumbar, trip computer, six-speaker audio with iPod and USB connectivity, Bluetooth and two-zone climate airconditioning. The price is $35,720 for the all-wheel drive automatic diesel, though you can save $3000 by getting the petrol engine or trimming back the features and opting for the front-wheel drive petrol auto at $28,720.It's been on the market for more than a year yet still looks fresh. That's good for seekers of a used Sportage but also helps resale for current owners. The key is a distinctive design that works as well outside as it does inside.The cabin is spacious enough for five adults yet has commendable cargo room of 740 litres (seats up) and 1547 litres (seats down). Mazda's CX-5 is 403 litres and 1560 litres respectively.Kia's dash overdoes the colour black but is actually attractive, has good storage spaces and clear instruments.Part of the appeal of the Sportage is its simplicity. The 135kW/392Nm 2-litre turbo-diesel packs enough punch to be lively and is helped by the six-speed auto. Kia claims a 7.5 L/100km average which typifies its class and engine - until the CX-5 came along with its outstanding 5.7 L/100km. Australian input into the suspension and steering tuning results in an SUV that feels more like a sedan, so drives with confidence and sure-footedness even through quick corners.Sportage gets a five-star crash rating and six airbags. There's also standard stability, traction control, brake assist and a hill holder. The stability control is switchable and the AWD version adds hill descent. Good news for travellers is the full-size spare wheel.The Sportage immediate relays a sense of stability and that despite the light feel of its electric-assist steering, has a comfortable blend of positive response to a corner and ease of use when parking.Despite its SUV proportions, it doesn't suffer critically from body roll and even borders on being a fun machine to drive.The diesel is a bit clattery at idle but pulls with surprising strength on acceleration. There is some hesitation on acceleration as the engine and gearbox engage. But the package repays with good fuel economy, especially on country trips.I appreciated the seat comfort and the electric lumbar support, the visibility which was good to all but the rear three-quarter section, and the location of switchgear. Kia has obviously done a lot of work in the cabin and the result is a car that is intuitive.It ticks all the boxes for accommodation, fuel economy and ease of driving and, to top it off, has a style that is distinctive.